Gaza in the dark

The Gaza power plant, which was bombed in 2006 and 2014, depends on gas coming from the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

The Gaza Strip has been under siege for a decade, with a strict Israeli-Egyptian blockade controlling the entry and exit of people and goods.

Electricity is rationed throughout the territory, as Gaza has access to less than half of its power needs through purchases and local generation, officials say. Residents may receive eight hours or fewer of electricity a day, with blackouts common.

Gaza's power plant was bombed in 2006 and the electricity network suffered further damage during the 2014 war, straining the system to its limits. The lack of electricity also has consequences for the pumping and treatment of sewage water.

In addition to Israeli attacks and restrictions, infighting between Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah have contributed to a lack of progress in solving the territory's power crisis.

"There are plans to develop a new power plant or even solar fields, but ... we need international approval and we lack agreements between Fatah and Hamas," said Hazem Ahmed, a representative of Gaza's local power company.

Osama, 8, completes his homework in the family home. His family tries to limit the use of candles to protect their ten-month-old baby. An LED lamp complements the candlelight. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

Due to the necessity for generators, merchants are forced to pay additional fuel costs in order to keep their businesses running. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

Entire neighborhoods are often plunged into darkness. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

LED 'daisy chains' are present in almost all of Gaza's homes, providing a light source when the power is out. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

A woman walks through the rubble of Jabaliya, a neighbourhood hit hard during the 2014 war. As the sun sets, the rear headlights of a car bathe the neighbourhood in a soft red light. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

Two brothers play in their room with a small LED lamp just after 6pm. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

Nemer, 30, carries her youngest child, Hassan. On this day, the family's neighbourhood will be supplied with electricity only from 10pm until 6am. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

An employee from the Gaza municipality fixes some electric wires. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

Dozens of LED lights are presented for sale at this market in Gaza City. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

A family uses a small battery to compensate for the lack of electricity, which they must deal with for about 16 hours a day. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

The power crisis is exacerbated for families displaced into camps by the 2014 war. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

This family uses LED lights to complete work in their farmhouse during the power cuts. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]

Electricity workers often suffer abuse by angry residents, who are tired of living among these restrictions. [Sebastien Leban/Al Jazeera]